Major depressive disorder (MDD) also known simply as depression is a mood disorder characterised by multiple symptoms – feelings of sadness or hopelessness anger or frustration loss of interest sleep disturbances anxiety slowed or difficulty thinking suicidal thoughts along with unexplained physical problems such as back pain or headaches. Depression is treatable with a combination of medication therapy and self-care but relapses are also common. Many patients experience a relapse either before recovery is complete or as a later separate episode months or years after the first treatment. It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of individuals with